Companies, institutions, and organizations are advised to design and implement a corresponding AED program for the nature of their activities and environment. However, this could either require a huge cost or may not be good enough when it did not go through extensive study and planning before its implementation. If you are one of the key promoters in your community for an AED program, here are three of the essential steps that you should never skipped from.

Determine and Prove the Specific Needs

To start with, it would be best to be familiar first with the statistics on cases of heart diseases and how CPR is related to it. What are the chances that one or some of you in your group would undergo a between-life-and-death scenario due to a heart attack? How possible it is that a visitor would experience any severe inconvenience in your premises that would result to his or her unconsciousness? What could be done about it? In what way a certain type of automated external defibrillator or AED could help minimize such risks?

There are so many facts and figures you have to deal with in order to find out the most appropriate AED program for your company or organization. This would require extensive research and careful analysis on the given data and parameters. You also need to be familiar and have enough understanding with the technical specifications of the AED brands and models you consider, before finally purchasing them for the implementation of the program. Once you are done with all of these, make a summarized presentation that would suggest a certain AED type and other specific details the best for the group.

Identify the Prospective Program Leaders and Participants

Of course, you can’t do all these things by yourself only. You need to identify who among your colleagues, subordinates, or even superiors are knowledgeable or at least familiar with the use of AED. Explain to them the possible responsibilities to be delegated to them. Make your presentation as pleasing as possible in order to convince them on your proposed assignment of duties and responsibilities for the planning and implementation of your AED program. Lastly, don’t get discouraged with rejections; those with strong interest and will to participate in the program are the ones you need anyway.

Get Educated with the State and Jurisdictional Requirements on AED

Once you have delegated some of the tasks for the pre-implementation of your AED program, it would be time for you to study and understand the AED program requirements and standards imposed by the state. This is also an important step because misuse of AED or any violation regarding it could make your program useless or ineffective, not to mention that you might be penalized in case of serious incidents.

Good thing that you have the option to take an AED Program Management and AED Medical Oversight course to obtain all the knowledge and skills you need prior to a successful AED program. Check out Citywide CPR’s AED Program Management and AED Medical Oversight at their official website.

January 13, 2014Comments Off on The Basics of CPR: How It Is Basically Done?

Recent statistics say that more or less half a million of the deaths in the US involve heart attacks, both new and recurring cases. Out of this number, 80 percent takes place outside a medical center and without the presence of any medical practitioner. That’s why the AHA (American Heart Association) and other medical organizations strongly recommend everyone, including untrained and lay responders, to do their best to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR when someone is in need of this emergency medical service. This is not only for sufferers of heart attack or any life-threatening cardiovascular diseases, but also for victims of near-drowning, suffocation, severe electric shock, drug overdose, and other cases where the heart ceased from beating.

If you don’t have any idea about CPR and you think there is a chance that one of the people you usually go or stay with would eventually need it, here are some important things to take note of:

CPR could be applied when the patient is unconscious, not breathing, or has no pulse. If the patient is suffering from a combination of these symptoms, CPR should be immediately applied because each second literally counts.

Basic CPR mainly consists 2-inch deep chest compressions (1.5-inch for infants) using the palm of your hands. For adults, it is advisable to make the compressions as forceful as possible.

Typical rate of chest compressions is 100 per minute. The Bee Gees song “Staying Alive” could be used as a timing pattern because it has this kind of beat.

It is strongly recommended to continue applying chest compressions until the patient has recovered normal breathing or unfortunately, has been determined dead.

For a more effective CPR, remember the acronym CAB. C is for chest compression; A is for Airway, which is necessary for providing enough air for the patient; and B for breathing – providing artificial breath to the patient through mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation is a helpful part of CPR but untrained and lay respondents may settle for chest compressions only if they are not comfortable doing it.

When somebody else is around, ask him or her to seek help from a professional CPR practitioner or from anyone who knows enough about this first aid practice.

If there is a public-access AED (automated external defibrillator) nearby, find time to make use of it. This electronic medical device could be used to revive the patient’s heartbeat by pressing electrically energized pads to his chest.

For people with a loved one who suffers from any serious heart disease, it is strongly suggested to undergo CPR training in order to be prepared and responsible enough in case of emergency. There are several notable emergency medical services training centers that offer CPR courses and one of them is Citywide CPR. You can visit their website at citywidecpr.com to find out how you can avail of their extensive CPR training programs. Get educated with CPR matters now because anytime and anywhere, your loved one’s heart could stop beating and CPR would be your immediate means of saving his or her life.

January 9, 2014Comments Off on Technology and Scientific Breakthroughs: Good or Bad for the Heart?

People nowadays are fortunate enough to become beneficiaries of the discoveries, inventions, innovations, and other contributions made by the great minds of the previous centuries and of today as well. In the field of medicine and healthcare, technology and scientific discoveries have become of great help for practitioners on dealing with the various medical threats to humanity. The problem is, while the quality of living is set to higher standards, new risks and problems come along with it.

Because many people are now living fast-paced, most of them take advantage of the convenience brought by instant foods. Indeed, ready-to-eat foods are of great help whenever you are in a hurry or when you don’t have access to any cooking equipment. Canned goods, cup noodles, bottled beverage, chips, chocolate bars, and candies are just some examples of this kind of food. These are mostly in a portable size and packaging so that you can have it with you as you travel and eat it whenever you need to. Most of these are also available or primarily offered in convenience stores that are typically open throughout each day. Other than the busy people, those with a sedentary way of living are thankful for such convenience.

However, it’s too bad that majority of the instant foods are either lacking in essential nutrients or excessive in unhealthy ingredients. Many of these consist of artificial flavorings and preservatives that are both harmful to one’s health, including the heart. This explains why such people are likely to suffer from certain cardiovascular diseases.

On the other hand, another seemingly negative effect of scientific and technological advancements of today is the promotion of laziness in everyday living. This again goes to people with fast-paced and sedentary lifestyles. Nowadays, almost all household chores and other daily activities can be passed on to machines such as vacuum cleaners, washing machines, electric dishwashers, and food blenders or grinders. Adding to these is the automation of tasks through the inclusion of processors and other computerized components on various commonly used equipment inside the house or office. Examples for that include automatic light switches, window blinds, doors and gates, and other sophisticated items that no longer need human effort to perform the necessary functions.

What makes such convenience bothersome is that people tend to ignore the importance of exerting their own force for their daily activities. Lack of musculoskeletal and cardiorespiratory performance is not healthy anymore, particularly to the heart. Although the said machines are basically intended to help people find time to rest or do more out of their limited time, it does not necessarily mean that your body deserves to do nothing at all. Instead, always seek opportunity to exercise your muscles and bones, as well as your heart and brain in order to sustain their normal functionalities.

For other health tips for the heart, you can visit citywidecpr.com. This is the official website of Citywide CPR, a renowned center for CPR training and other emergency medical services. Find out in their website how you can push through Citywide’s CPR training course.

January 7, 2014Comments Off on Brief Description of Some of the Popular AED Brands

In general, people who are fond of living a sedentary lifestyle are vulnerable to heart diseases and other troublesome medical conditions. These are primarily due to lack of musculoskeletal movements in their daily activities. Good thing that in this era, such people could seek help from advanced medical services offered in healthcare centers. Other than that, there are now medical devices that could be purchased and used at home where there is a chance of life-threatening attacks by a certain heart disease.

One of these devices is the AED or automated external defibrillator. This medical equipment is primarily intended to automatically apply through its pair of defibrillator pads the most appropriate electric joules to the malfunctioning heart of the patient. Each type of AED comes with a set of innovative features to maximize the patient’s chances of survival. Thus, it’s best to know several things about the following AED brands, which are among today’s top-choices:

Philips – considered as the leading and most trusted AED manufacturer, this brand has more than 500,000 AED units deployed all over the world. Some of its notable models are the Philips Heartstart Onsite AED, Philips Heartstart FRX AED, Philips Heartstart FR3 AED, Philips Heartstart FR2+ AED, Philips Heartstart FR3 SMART Pads III, and Philips Heartstart FR3 Infant / Child Key.

Physio-Control – this is another pioneer when it comes to defibrillation and resuscitation technology. Included to the most recommended Physio-Control AED models are the Physio-Control LIFEPAK CR Plus AED and the Physio-Control LIFEPAK 1000 AED.

Cardiac Science – innovative design is among the main advantages of this AED brand. Medical experts recommend Cardiac Science Powerheart AED models like the G3 Plus and the G3 Pro. Semi-automatic AED types are also provided by this manufacturer.

HeartSine – when it comes to ease of use, this AED manufacturer has a lot to offer. Its AED products such as the HeartSine Samaritan PAD AED come in a lightweight design and are mostly intended for public access use. Plus, these AEDs are generally among the most cost-efficient.

ZOLL – one great thing about this brand of AED is its systematic design for the AHA’s Full Chain of Survival that involves instantaneous feedback on the depth and rate of the applied chest compressions. The ZOLL AED Plus Defibrillator and the ZOLL AED Pro are two of its most reliable models.

Defibtech – reliability and low price are the main advantages of this powerful AED brand. The Defibtech Lifeline AED series is the brand’s current best-seller, primarily because of its fully automatic functions and diverse range of helpful features.

For more knowledge about AEDs, you can opt for the AED Program Management and AED Medical Oversight offered at Citywide CPR. Feel free to check out their official website, citywidecpr.com to find out what makes this training center a great choice for getting yourself educated and prepared for lifesaving matters regarding the use of AEDs in a professional way. This website also features everything you need to know about their AED Program Management and AED Medical Oversight training courses. Take a tour at citywidecpr.com now!

December 27, 2013Comments Off on Summary of the History of Defibrillation and AED

It has been said that defibrillation is one of the most important discoveries and the AED is among the most innovative inventions in the history of medical science. Thus, it is just necessary to take a glimpse of how defibrillation and AED started. The idea that a malfunctioning heart could be recovered was initiated in 1888 when Mac William hypothesized that ventricular fibrillation could be a cause of sudden death. It was then Batelli and Prevost who discovered in 1989 that intensified pulses of electrical energy could be applied to the patient’s heart to restore its natural rhythm. This discovery was then further completed by other studies in the nineteenth century.

In 1947, Dr. Claude Beck was the first successful person to perform defibrillation on a human being. According to the reports, he found out that his patient was undergoing ventricular fibrillation and so he applied a 60Hz alternating current to the person’s heart. He was able to stabilize the patient’s heartbeat and because of this success, defibrillators were then developed and eventually released commercially. Moreover, William and Kouwenhoven Milnor were the first ones to practice closed-chest defibrillation in 1954, but it was performed on a dog. After studying this significant accomplishment, Paul Zoll performed this process on a human being in 1956. By that time, a defibrillator was basically a portable electronic device that has the ability to detect risks or issues within the heart. It was also designed with analytic processors to come up with the necessary procedures, including the most accurate amount of electrical joule, to be applied to the patient. Various innovations were then applied as years went on.

The first automated external defibrillators were first developed in 1978. This type of defibrillator comes with sensors that are temporarily attached to the patient’s chest to detect any sign of ventricular fibrillation. If there is, the AED will display a report regarding the heart’s status and the necessary action to be taken by the person using the device. For fully automatic types of AED, there is no more need of user intervention for the device to perform the appropriate procedures for defibrillating the patient’s heart and restore it to its natural rhythm. Modern types of AED come with programmable functions that are primarily intended for safety measures and for the convenience of the user as well. That is why it is now safe and advisable for employers to provide an accessible AED within their workplace as a means of minimizing the risks of outside-the-hospital seizures that are mostly life-threatening.

For more information about automated external defibrillators, it would be best to go for the AED Program Management and AED Medical Oversight offered by Citywide CPR. These training courses basically cover what it takes to become a more knowledgeable and responsible operator of an AED in order to become a more effective life-saver for your loved ones and for the people around you. Take a tour at citywidecpr.com to find out how to get in an AED Program Management or AED Medical Oversight training course.

December 25, 2013Comments Off on Live a Happy and Optimistic Life for a Healthy Heart

Each person has only one life to live and it solely depends on how you want to spend it. Unfortunately, there are some things you do that you are not aware of the corresponding consequence. One good example is your cardiovascular health. In fact, this has been among the primary factors that determine the quantity as well as the quality of a person’s life. Many people have been living miserably because of the troubles and worries that come along with their unhealthy heart. Some can’t maximize their physical activities and so they eventually can’t fully enjoy their bonding time with family and friends, and even among themselves. There are also some who are troubled with the expenses involved in recovering from the cardiovascular ailment they have. Worst of all, there are some people who are unfortunate enough to lose their lives because of the heart disease they had suffered from.

Good thing that there is one very simple thing you can do to get rid or at least prevent the worsening of the cardiovascular disease you suffer from. This is by simply living your life with optimism and sessions of laughter. Yes, you can lessen the effects of any heart ailments by becoming worry-free and stress-free and by taking time to enjoy some laughs once in a while. You don’t need to spend cash to achieve these. All you have to do is to take a little change from within and start seeing the world in a new perspective. If you want to save your life from all the problems that come along with an unhealthy heart, you better start doing the right action now because each second literally counts.

If you are working in a stressful environment, don’t worry. It still depends on how you deal with the everyday scenarios in your workplace. Exert some efforts to lessen the conflicts with people around you. As much as possible, avoid those who are likely to stress you out or influence you with negative vibes. Try to spend more time with positive, serene, and jolly type of people. Furthermore, it would also best to maximize your break times by lying back comfortably on your chair, taking deeper breathes, resting your eyes, and enjoying some soothing music. You can also prefer to stare at some beautiful views outside your office or at least browse some pictures of breathtaking scenes, whether in a magazine or in your computer. Another you can do is to read some funny stories, check out hilarious videos or comic strips, or share some jokes with friends and colleagues. In addition, it would also be helpful to let go of secrets or things you keep by yourself. Seek for some people you can entrust these with. It’s really nice to hear pieces of advice from them and experience the feeling of being listened to.

For more helpful tips on taking good care of the heart, simply visit citywidecpr.com where you could also get into an extensive CPR training. See more details in this website and find out the importance of having a CPR training course completed.

December 23, 2013Comments Off on The Health and Safety Regulations on the Provision of Public AEDs

As stated in The Health and Safety Regulations of 1981, it is mandatory for employers to provide the necessary first aid equipment and facilities to ensure that their employees will receive immediate medical service in the event they get injured or undergo sudden illness while at work. This law also states that all employers are subject to needs assessment wherein their first aid needs are being assessed based on the corresponding hazards and risks that come with their workplace. Other than that, it is required that the employer is held responsible for the provision of a professional and reputable first aid trainer to impart the necessary knowledge on emergency medical services, particularly those involved and might be needed at work.

Among the most important first aid equipment that every workplace should provide and make readily accessible is the automated external defibrillator or AED. This emergency computer-based medical device is primarily used to analyze the patient’s vital signs, particularly his heart rhythm. It will then come up with the most appropriate amount of electrical pulse to be transmitted to the malfunctioning heart as an attempt to restore it to its natural rhythm and operation. Public AEDs should be mounted with a protective casing, ideally red-colored, and should be ready to use in case of sudden seizure of one of the individuals within the vicinity. It is also important to include the user manual, provide significant labels, and post the most important instructions and reminders regarding the use of this electronic first aid equipment.

There is a wide variety of AED types available in the market today. Each brand and model has its own set of useful features, basically intended for a specific type of user. Some were especially designed for home and personal use while there are also some that were engineered for commercial, corporate, and industrial environments. Thus, it is necessary to find out the most advisable type, brand, and model of AED to be provided for a particular workplace. It is also suggested that employers should request the AED supplier to provide a comprehensive demo and training regarding the use of the device. This is more importantly when the equipment comes with programmable functions and other innovative features that require an in-depth level of technical skills. Also, it is very important to make sure that the safety measures involved in the use and maintenance of the AED are discussed with such demo and training.

Citywide CPR is among the most reputable emergency medical services training institutions that offer extensive AED Program Management and AED Medical Oversight training courses. This is where you can learn much more about the use and maintenance of various types of AED, including the important first aid trainings that come along with it. Simply check out citywidecpr.com to find out more details about this renowned training institution and to send in your inquiries as well. Go for an AED Program Management and AED Medical Oversight training course now and get ready to become a moe responsible life-saver for people around you!

If you want to stay free or to recover from risks of heart disease, there are several important things in your lifestyle that must be changed. Here are 8 of the worst habits that have been recognized to contribute significantly to heart attack and other types of heart diseases:

Snoring Heavily – a major sign of a disorder called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) where there are sessions of interrupted breathing while asleep. OSA has been identified as a magnifier of cardiovascular diseases like heart attack. It would be best to seek your doctor and ask for recommendations on how to get rid of this disorder.

Eating Foods Without or With Less Fiber – recent studies have already confirmed that men and women of a variety of age who consume larger amount of fiber are those who live for more years and are less prone to heart and respiratory diseases and various types of cancer. With that said, it is suggested to consult your dietitian or make a thorough research on the most advisable foods that are rich in fiber.

Ignoring Gum Disease – although for unclear reason yet, it has been found out that the cause of inflammation on gums is the same for arteries that lead to certain heart diseases. That is why it is advised to practice dental flossing regularly and take good care of your gums.

Cigarette Smoking – statistics state that smoking one cigarette each day increases risks of having heart attack by 63%. Especially when taken excessively, it could weaken the functionality of your respiratory and cardiovascular organs.

Enduring Lack of Sleep or Enjoying Excessive Sleep – ideal duration of sleep is between 5 and 9 hours. Getting beyond this range frequently could increase your blood pressure as well as your stress hormones levels, which are likely to trigger heart attack or any type of coronary disease.

Drinking Alcohol Excessively – too much alcohol intake could elevate your triglycerides that would eventually cause high blood pressure and heart failure. This habit also comes with increased calorie intake that triggers risks of obesity and diabetes.

Enduring a Polluted Environment – ignoring air pollution around you is actually harmful not only to your respiratory system, but to your cardiovascular organs as well. The inhaled pollutants could accumulate in your carotid arteries that eventually thicken and cause inflammation and signs of a heart disease.

Worrying And Getting Stressed – avoid stressful situations where you tend to get mad or act impulsively. It’s not also healthy to become pessimistic; take time to see the brighter side of anything. You need to stay happy and enjoy some laughter once in a while. Worrying is a big no since it negatively affects the blood circulation in your body.

In the event that you are living with a person who suffers from heart disease and is prone to seizure, then it is advisable for you to take CPR training. As soon as you have completed a CPR training course you will surely become a much more prepared life-saver for such sufferers. Check out citywidecpr.com for more details.

Knowing the importance of an automated external defibrillator, it is just necessary for everyone, especially the users, to know some commonly encountered AED terms. In this way, you would be able to understand more the corresponding functionalities of the device you have and you would also be able to make more careful and wiser decisions regarding the use of it. But first, you have to understand first what is an AED. Basically, this electronic and computer-based medical device is used to deliver the necessary electric shock to the patient’s malfunctioning heart in order to resume its normal operation. This is also used to prevent losing the patient’s life while his brain tissues don’t receive oxygenated blood because of such cardiovascular irregularity.

Included to the most basic terms regarding AEDs is the ECG, which is short for electrocardiogram. This term simply refers to the cardiac test that is used to determine the patient’s heart rhythm and heartbeat rate. It is also used to find out whether a person is suffering from certain a heart disease. An ECG display is usually included in the basic features of an AED. Moreover, another commonly used term regarding AEDs is the Biphasic Waveform. It basically refers to the shock type, which decreases the required energy for successful use of the AED. This is important in minimizing risks of burns and myocardial damage to the patient when the device is being used.

MSRP and MAP are common AED terms as well. These are not so hard to understand because MSRP is simply the Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price while MAP is the Minimum Advertised Price. These two are the distributors needed in advertising AED prices. Adding to that is the term pediatric capability. This is the feature that when activated, allows safe use of the device for children who are 8 years old, weighing not more than 55 pounds. There is also the term IP Rating, which stands for Ingress Protection Rating. It is the parameter that determines the type and level of protection provided for the device against various foreign solid and liquid substance intrusions.

Of course, there is the term CPR or cardiopulmonary resuscitation that is oftentimes associated with AED. CPR is primarily defined as an immediate medical practice given to a person experiencing seizure or in a state of unconsciousness as a result of cardiac arrest, other critical heart conditions, severe injury, and several other situations. It mainly involves external chest compressions (about 1 to 1/2 inches deep) repeatedly at a rate of more or less 100 presses per minute. The purpose of applying CPR is mostly the same with using an AED to a patient – to prolong the death of brain tissues while the heart can’t pump blood or regain its normal operation and to provide breathing to the patient.

To know more about AED Program Management and AED Medical Oversight, you can check out citywidecpr.com. This is the online site where you can also get yourself into comprehensive AED Program Management and AED Medical Oversight training courses fast and easy.

December 13, 2013Comments Off on Important Factors to Consider When Choosing an AED

An automated external defibrillator or AED has now become essential for people suffering from certain kinds of heart diseases and other related medical conditions. However, it is important to have the right type of AED based on your – or your loved one’s – specific medical condition and other important factors to consider. Various types and brands of AED offer various combinations of features that are either useful enough for the user or just too impractical to spend money for. Much worse, if you happen to buy one that holds several risks to the user as well as to the person operating it.

AEDs are mainly classified as fully automatic or semi-automatic. A fully automatic AED has the ability to determine and automatically execute the most appropriate action based on the analysis done on the patient’s vital signs, especially the heart rhythm. On the other hand, the semi-automatic AED is one that requires the input of the user after displaying or giving a report of the analysis done. Any of these two could be advisable for a common user but it is still advisable to choose which one you are comfortable most to use with. If you think it is safe enough to rely on the machine’s data based on the patient’s condition, then you can go for a fully automatic one. This is also a good choice if your patient suffers from emergency situations more frequent. For a more careful way of using an AED, it would be most probably a better choice to settle for a semi-automatic one.

Furthermore, there are several important features you need to look for in an AED. One of these is the ECG display, where you can view the patient’s heart rate and rhythm. This could also be used to see whether there are abnormalities in the heat’s function and whether there is any sign of any heart disease. Meanwhile, another significant feature of an AED is the rescue prompt. Some models have ordinary -LED prompt while some have built-in voice prompt. There are also AEDs nowadays that come with both LED and voice prompts to combine the advantages of having each of the two. In addition to that, wise selection of AED types and models could also include checking the device’s Ingress Protection (IP) rating. This is what signifies the level of protection the device provides against the intrusion of foreign objects such as dust and other tiny objects, as well as against accidental mechanical impact, liquid contact, extreme temperatures, and magnetic radiations.

Many AEDs today come with programmable functions for convenience and accuracy at the same time. Still, there are some that remain to have only the basic functionalities of an AED, making it come with lesser price than the former. Speaking of price, you have to consider the pricing of the AED brands when making your selection. You should also determine which one would consume more electricity when used.

For more tips and further details about AEDs, it is best to get yourself into CitywideCPR’s AED Program Management and AED Medical Oversight courses. Simply visit their official site on how to avail such training services. With knowledge on AED Program Management and AED Medical Oversight, you would be able to determine the best AED for your exact needs and preferences so you can avoid impractical expenses.